Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has flagged off a Ksh 2 million basketball in Riruta.
Amina stressed that the government is committed to developing talents in the country and lauded the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) for partnering with her Ministry to realize the vision.
The basketball court has been constructed by the foundation at the Holy Ghost Mission Church in Riruta.
The Ksh 2 million court, will be used by area residents for training and practice under the Bakee Mtaani (grassroots basketball) initiative.
This comes three months after the groundbreaking for its construction was commissioned by Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto.
"This project is a clear demonstration of just how many hearts we can touch and the lives that we can change when we work together," Amina stated.
"Further, through projects such as this, I believe we will be able to steer our youth in the informal settlements - many of who have, unfortunately, experienced first-hand the ravages of neglect and substandard living conditions - away from the life of crime and drug abuse and into a life of hope and purpose," she added.
Jonathan Jackson is a real estate developer, who also sponsors Kenya Premier League side Nairobi City Stars to the tune of Ksh 50 million each year.
"Our main aim is to help the youth grow their talent in the field of basketball, especially in the informal settlements. It is our hope that in the future, off the courts and tournaments, Bakee Mtaani will produce basketball players of international repute,” he stated
JJF has plans to construct 12 basketball courts. The first court was constructed at Gatina Primary School in Kawangware last year, while construction of the third is underway at BP Riruta Stadium.